Rubber overshoe



(No Model.)

W. B. KINSLEY.

RUBBER OVERSHOE. No. 550,829.

Patented Dec. 3, 1895.

N ENT W ANDREW B GRAMAMJHOYO-LITHD WASHINGTON 0C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM B. KINSLEY, OF MELROSE, ASSIGNOR TO THE BOSTON RUBBER SHOE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUBBER OVERSHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Dimer". Patent No. 550,829, dated December a, 1895. A uman filed August 28,1895. Serial No. 560,774. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that IAVILLIAM B. KINsLEY, of Melrose, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rubber Overshoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of rubber overshoes termed slips and designed to only cover the soleof the shoe, leaving the heel exposed. The most vulnerable part of such an overshoe is at the shank portion, and it is highly important that the rubber closely hug the shoe at this point to prevent entrance of moisture between it and the shank of the shoe.

The aim of my invention is to provide-an effective means for preventing entrance of moisture at this point, and to this end consists in a peculiar arrangement and construction of parts recited in the appended claim.

The drawings which accompany and form part of this specification illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a rubber overshoe constructed in accordance with my invention and represented as applied to a shoe indicatedin broken lines. Fig. 2 shows alongitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the rubber. Fig. 4: shows a top plan view of a portion of the same on.

an enlarged scale.

The general construction of the overshoe is that commonly known, there being a sole portion a, vamp a, instep-strap a and heelstrap a, and the latter being broadened, as usual, to meet the rear end of the sole, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.

By my invention a thin band of rubber I), quite elastic, is carried across between the converging portions of the heel-strap,forming a thin elastic dam, which is adapted to be considerably stretched lengthwise or across the sole when the slip is applied to a shoe. The dam b has end extensions 11 b, which are cemented to the inner sides of the heel strap. The dam being highly elastic and attached by its extensions b to the strap will be stretched with the strap when the slip is applied to a boot or shoe, the side portions of the strap being held apart by the boot or shoe,

so that the dam will always be stretched be- .tact with the sides of the upper, so that the dam effectually excludes moisture which might otherwise work its,way in between the shank of the boot or shoe and the rubber above thelbottom surface of the shank. The dam is in effect a continuation of the heelstrap, forming therewith a complete clamping-band embracing the counter and shank portions of the boot or shoe, said band being stretched when the overshoe is in use, thus causing a water-tight closure at the shank of the boot or shoe, a thing which I believe has never before been thoroughly accomplished.

What I claim as my invention is as follows:

A heelless overshoe or slip having an elas tic heel-strap attached at its ends to the vamp and sole, and a flexible elastic dam b constituting an elastic rearward extension of the sole and having extensions Z) attached to the elastic portions of the strap, said heelstrap and dam constituting a continuous elastic clamping band, whereby when the overshoe is in use the heel and counter are tightly grasped, the entire band, including the dam and its extensions, being stretched,

so that the rear edge of the dam is pressed closely against the bottom and edges of the shank portion of the boot or shoe to which the overshoe is applied.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 26th day of August, A. D. 1895.

WILLIAM B. KINSLEY. lVitnesses:

E. BATOHELDER, G. F. Bnowu. 

